Cato Daily

A looming Department of Homeland Security rule would require collection of biometric information on not just immigrants, but related Americans. Patrick Eddington and Matthew Feeney say the rule has massive civil liberties implications.   More

Conspiratorial thinking has a long history in American politics. And yet, it’s tempting to think about our current moment as a golden age of conspiratorial thinking. Jesse Walker of Reason magazine traces the history.   More

Countries across the globe are working toward the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. How might the late protectionism of the United States affect that effort? Scott Lincicome comments. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.   More

What can we infer from the new weaponry unveiled by North Korea? Eric Gomez and Doug Bandow describe how the U.S., South Korea, and China ought to respond. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.   More

As she endures questions in the Senate, there isn’t much we can say with confidence about Amy Coney Barrett’s general view of the legitimacy of the administrative state. Will Yeatman comments.   More

The United States seems unprepared for a wide variety of ways in which elections might be disrupted. One saving grace, says Brandon Valeriano, is the distributed nature of American elections. See acast.com/privacy   More

The judicial doctrine known as qualified immunity is being misrepresented by law enforcement advocates. The only remaining question is whether those advocates understand the doctrine at all. Jay Schweikert details the errors.   More

When should you be able to play a decisive role in your own medical treatment? Pretty much all the time, according to Cato’s Jeff Singer. He argues that the FDA should get out of the way of those who want to make decisions about their own treatments.   More

Some comments by Justice Clarence Thomas made in an opinion earlier this week appear to some to indicate a desire to overturn the Obergefell decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Walter Olson discusses the fear and its basis.   More

Jeff Singer’s Pandemics and Policy essay details the combination of officious health care regulation and viral pandemic that have worsened economic and health outcomes for those affected. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.   More

What makes it relatively easy for New Hampshire to maintain low taxes and spending? New Hampshire’s Republican Governor Chris Sununu has a few ideas. Sununu received an “A” on Cato’s new Fiscal Policy Report Card for Governors.   More

Science is great, but scientific determinations do not and should not dictate all behavior. Peter VanDoren discusses some of the limits of science in his new Pandemics and Policy essay. See acast.com/privacy   More

Fifty years ago, Milton Friedman used the pages of The New York Times Magazine to suggest that businesses should focus solely on profits. The magazine revisited his claims. Diego Zuluaga sticks up for Milton.   More

What do we need to know now about nuclear weapons policy? Cato’s Eric Gomez wrote the lead essay for this month’s edition of Cato Unbound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.   More

Would a Justice Amy Coney Barrett hold government officials to high standards? With whom is she most aligned on the High Court? Andrew Grossman explains. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.   More

What do Amy Coney Barrett’s writings and judicial opinions tell us about her judicial philosophy? Casey Mattox, Vice President for Legal & Judicial Strategy and Americans for Prosperity gives his take.   More

What does the fight over bringing Julian Assange to the U.S. to face espionage charges mean for press freedom? J.D. Tuccille of Reason Magazine comments. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.   More

Many critical supply chains have suffered during the pandemic, which means everyone along those supply chains has also suffered. Dan Ikenson details how to make sure trade isn’t a casualty of this pandemic.   More

The pandemic has left millions of Americans poorer. How can the economic recovery best benefit those most harmed economically? Michael Tanner contributed an essay to Cato’s new Pandemics and Policy.   More

One of three Louisville police officers involved in the raid on Breonna Taylor’s home has been charged with crimes. The charges are for behavior not strictly related to Taylor’s death. Clark Neily discusses what it should mean for police reform.   More